a secondary woody shoot arising from the trunk of a tree, or from a bough, or from the main axis of a shrub
chiefly NAmer the tributary of a river
a side road or way
a slender projection, e.g. the tine of an antler
a distinct part of a complex whole, e.g.:
a division of a family descending from a particular ancestor
a distinct section of a particular subject of study
Pathology is a branch of medicine
a division or separate part of an organization
branched adj
branchless adj
branchlet /ʹbrahnchlit/ noun
branchy adj
[Middle English via Old French from late Latin branca paw]